Capillary electrophoresis apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a capillary electrophoresis apparatus which can improve the operability and measuring speed. According to the invention, a sensor for identifying the type of sample containers is fixed at the position away from a capillary anode electrode. The sensor is made to be closer to the sample containers by moving a moving stage so that the sample containers disposed on the moving stage can be identified by the sensor. A fixing apparatus for fixing at least a pair of sample containers is provided on the moving stage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis apparatus whichseparates and analyzes samples such as DNA and protein byelectrophoresis, particularly to an autosampler (apparatus forautomatically transporting sample containers) which transportscontainers holding a solution.

2. Description of the Related Art

With reference to the capillary electrophoresis apparatus, a componentof a sample is separated by introducing the sample into a capillaryfilled with separation media and applying a high voltage to both ends ofthe capillary. Sample plates holding samples have various forms.Generally, the sample plate having 96 wells (arranged in an 8×12 matrixwith a pitch of 9 mm) and the sample plate having 384 wells (arranged ina 16×24 matrix with a pitch of 4.5 mm) are used.

An example of a sample plate assembly is described in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-324474 (JP-A-2001-324474).The sample plate assembly has a structure in which the sample plate onwhich a septer having a function of preventing evaporation of thesamples is mounted is sandwiched between an upper-side septer holder anda lower-side adapter.

A mechanism in which the sample plate assembly is held by a gripper isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2003-344357 (JP-A-2003-344357). The gripper holds the sample plateassembly directly, thereby allowing the sample plate assembly to beheld.

Recently, there has been a demand for improvement in operability andmeasuring speed of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus. In order tosatisfy the demand, it is necessary to simplify operation for disposingthe sample plate assembly on a moving stage of the autosampler.

The autosampler transports each container which contains solutions suchas a sample solution, buffer solution, assy solution, cleaning liquid,and waste liquid to a capillary anode electrode. The capillary anodeelectrode is formed on a capillary electrode. The capillary electrodehas a structure in which the end of the capillary is integrated with anelectrode for electrophoresis. The capillary electrode is fixed on aload header. On the other hand, each container is disposed on the movingstage of the autosampler and is movable in the direction of threedimensions of X-Y-Z. Each container is first transported to under thecapillary anode electrode by the autosampler and then moved upward. As aresult, contact of the capillary electrode with the solution isrealized.

When the sample plate is transported by the autosampler, a type ofsample plate needs to be recognized. Therefore, a sample plateidentification mechanism for identifying the type of sample plate isprovided in the autosampler. In the sample plate identificationmechanism described in JP-A-2001-324474, a detection plate is providedon the bottom surface of the adapter and a photo interrupter is providedon the upper surface of the moving stage of the autosampler. When thesample plate assembly is disposed on the moving stage, the photointerrupter is engaged with the detection plate. The light from thephoto interrupter is blocked by the detection plate. As a result, thetype of sample plate can be detected. A type of identifiable sampleplate can be increased by increasing the numbers of the photointerrupters and the detection plates.

The sample plate identification mechanism using both the photointerrupter and the detection plate has an advantage that the type ofsample plate can always be identified while the sample plate assembly isdisposed on the moving stage. For example, the type of sample plate isanalyzed by a sample processing program and then the analyzed result canbe presented to an operator. When the type of sample plate cannot beanalyzed by the sample processing program, wrong measurements can beprevented by stopping the operation of the autosampler.

However, the photo interrupter is exposed on the moving stage in thesample plate identification mechanism using both the photo interrupterand the detection plate. In the capillary electrophoresis apparatus, theoperator places containers containing liquids such as a buffer solution,cleaning liquid, and waste liquid on the moving stage. For that reason,liquids may fall on the photo interrupter due to the operator'scarelessness. Further, a cable for supplying an electric power andtransmitting a signal is connected with the photo interrupter. The cablemoves together with the moving stage whenever the moving stage moves.

As described above, there is a demand for improvement in operability andmeasuring speed of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus. In order tosatisfy the demand, the development of the sample plate identificationmechanism in which it is not necessary to form the photo interrupter onthe moving stage has been required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus which can improve the operability andmeasuring speed.

According to the invention, a sensor for identifying the type of thesample containers is fixed at the position away from the capillary anodeelectrode. The sensor is made to be closer to the sample containers bymoving the moving stage so that the sample containers disposed on themoving stage can be identified by the sensor. A fixing apparatus forfixing at least a pair of sample containers is provided on the movingstage.

According to the invention, there can be provided the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus which can improve the operability andmeasuring speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram explaining the operation of theautosampler.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram explaining the operation of theautosampler.

FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram explaining an example of a fixationmechanism of a conventional autosampler

FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram explaining an example of a fixationmechanism of the autosampler according to the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams explaining an example of thesample plate identification mechanism of the autosampler according tothe invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining an example of the structure of the sampleplate assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram explaining an example of the operationof the sample plate identification mechanism of the autosampleraccording to the invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram explaining an installed position of thefixation mechanism of the sample plate assembly provided on the movingstage of the autosampler according to the invention.

FIGS. 9A-9F are explanatory diagrams explaining the structure andoperation of a first example of the fixation mechanism of the sampleplate assembly provided on the moving stage of the autosampler accordingto the invention.

FIGS. 10A-10D are explanatory diagrams explaining the operation of thefirst example of the fixation mechanism of the sample plate assemblyprovided on the moving stage of the autosampler according to theinvention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams explaining an example of thefixation mechanism provided on the moving stage of the autosampleraccording to the invention.

FIGS. 12A-12E are explanatory diagrams explaining an example of thefixation mechanism provided on the sample plate assembly according tothe invention.

FIGS. 13A-13D are explanatory diagrams explaining a second example ofthe fixation mechanism of the sample plate assembly provided on themoving stage of the autosampler according to the invention.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams explaining a third example ofthe fixation mechanism of the sample plate assembly provided on themoving stage of the autosampler according to the invention.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams explaining a fourth exampleof the fixation mechanism of the sample plate assembly provided on themoving stage of the autosampler according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   101 Capillary-   102 Capillary array-   103 Pump mechanism-   104 Optical system-   105 High voltage power supply-   106 Oven-   108 Syringe-   109 Block-   110 Check valve-   111 Polymer container-   112 Cathode buffer container-   113 Cathode electrode-   114 Anode electrode-   203 Load header-   205 Capillary head-   206 capillary anode electrode-   207 Capillary electrode-   300 Autosampler-   302 Moving stage-   303 Linear guide-   310 Fixed portion-   311 Photo interrupter-   315 Housing-   316 Door-   317 Opening-and-closing detection mechanism-   400 Fixation mechanism-   401 Movable hook-   402 Lever portion-   403 Claw-   404 Shaft-   405 Torsion spring-   411 Movable hook-   412 Lever portion-   413 Claw-   414 Shaft-   415 Torsion spring-   421 Movable hook-   422 Lever portion-   423 Claw-   424 Shaft-   425 Torsion spring-   431 Movable hook-   432 Lever portion-   433 Pressing portion-   434 Shaft-   435 Torsion spring-   501 Sample plate assembly-   501 a-501 d Side surface-   502 Sample plate assembly-   502 a-502 d Side surface-   503 Buffer container-   504 Cleaning container-   505 Waste liquid container-   3021, 3021A, 3021B Convex portion-   3022, 3023, 3024 Fixed hook-   4106 Concave portion-   4302 Convex portion-   5011 Sample-   5012 Sample plate-   5013 Septa-   5014 Clip-   5015 Adapter-   5017 Detection plate-   5018, 5018A, 5018B Concave portion-   5021, 5022 Hole-   5031 Buffer solution-   5033 Septa-   5033 a Hole-   5041 Cleaning liquid-   5043 Septa-   5043 a Hole

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of the capillary electrophoresis apparatusaccording to the embodiment. The capillary electrophoresis apparatusaccording to the embodiment has a capillary array 102 including a singleor a plurality of capillaries 101, a pump mechanism 103 for injectingseparation media into the capillaries 101, an optical system 104 forirradiating samples in the capillaries 101 with a light and detectingthe fluorescence of the samples, a high voltage power supply 105 forapplying a high voltage to the capillaries 101, an oven 106 for keepingthe capillaries 101 at a constant temperature, and an autosampler 300for transporting containers containing the samples and solutions.

The capillaries 101 are exchangeable members, which are replaced when amethod of measurement is changed or breakage and quality degradation areobserved in the capillaries 101. The capillaries 101 comprise glasstubes having an inner diameter of tens to hundreds of microns and anouter diameter of hundreds of microns and the surface thereof are coatedwith polyimide. The capillaries 101 are filled with separation mediawhich gives a migration time difference to samples such as DNA andprotein at the time of electrophoresis. Although there are fluid andnon-fluid separation media, a fluid polymer is used in the embodiment.

A capillary head 205 is provided at one end of the capillaries 101 and acapillary anode electrode 206 is formed at the other end thereof. Thecapillary head 205 is the end portion of the bundled capillaries 101 andhas a function of connecting the pump mechanism 103 and the capillaries101. The capillary anode electrode 206 is in contact with the samplesand solutions. At the side of the capillary anode electrode, thecapillaries 101 are fixed by a load header 203.

A anode electrode 114 and a capillary electrode 207 which is a tubularmember made of metal are mounted on the load header 203. The anodeelectrode 114 and the capillary electrode 207 are conducting. Thecapillary anode electrode 206 penetrates the capillary electrode 207 andprotrudes from the end thereof.

The optical system 104 comprises an illumination system and a detectionsystem. The optical system 104 has a function for irradiating a portionfrom which a polyimide film of the capillaries 101 is removed, namely, adetection portion with an exciting light. The detection system has afunction for detecting the fluorescence from the samples in thedetection portion of the capillaries 101. The samples are analyzed onthe basis of the light detected by the detection system.

The pump mechanism 103 has a syringe 108, a block 109, a check valve110, a polymer container 111, and an cathode buffer container 112. Apassage in the block 109 is connected with the capillaries 101 byconnecting the capillary head 205 with the block 109. The polymer in thepolymer container 111 is charged into the capillaries 101 via thepassage in the block 109 or refilled by operating the syringe 108. Therefilling of the polymer in the capillaries 101 is carried out for eachmeasurement in order to improve the performance of the measurement.

An cathode electrode 113 is disposed in the cathode buffer container112. The high voltage power supply 105 applies a high voltage betweenthe cathode electrode 113 and the anode electrode 114.

The oven 106 keeps the temperature of the capillaries constant bysandwiching a capillary array 102 using a temperature control plate onwhich a heat insulating material and a heater are mounted, in a planarshape. A temperature sensor for feedback is mounted on the temperaturecontrol plate. The edge of the capillary head 205 can be fixed at adesired position by fixing the load header 203 to the oven 106.

The autosampler 300 has three electric motors for moving the movingstage 302 and a linear guide 303. Here, as shown in the drawings, aZ-axis is taken in a vertically-upward direction along a plane on whichthe capillary array 102 is disposed, an X-axis is taken in a horizontaldirection, and a Y-axis is taken in a thickness direction of the planeon which the capillary array 102 is disposed. The moving stage ismovable in an up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction), in aright-and-left direction (X-axis direction), and in a depth direction(Y-axis direction). The moving stage 302 carries a buffer container, acleaning container, a waste liquid container, and a sample plate to thecapillary anode electrode 206, as needed.

The operation of the autosampler will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3. The capillaries 101 of the capillary electrophoresisapparatus, the oven 106, and the autosampler 300 are shown in FIG. 2,however, the optical system and the pump mechanism are not shown herein.The load header 203 is mounted at a lower end of the oven 106. Thecapillaries 101 are fixed to the load header 203. The capillaryelectrode 207 comprising the tubular member is mounted on the loadheader 203. The capillaries 101 penetrate the capillary electrode 207and the capillary anode electrode 206 is protruded from the lower end.

A buffer container 503 which holds a buffer solution 5031 forelectrophoresis and a cleaning container 504 which holds the cleaningliquid 5041 are disposed on the moving stage 302 of the autosampler. Thebuffer container 503 and the cleaning container 504 are covered withsepta 5033 and 5043. Holes 5033 a and 5043 a are formed on the septa5033 and 5043.

In this regard, the sample container holding the sample and the wasteliquid container holding the waste liquid are disposed on the movingstage 302 and these containers are arranged with the buffer container503 and the cleaning container 504. Thus, they are not illustratedherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the buffer container 503 has beentransported just under the capillary anode electrode 206 by theautosampler 300. That is, the buffer container 503 is transported justunder the capillary anode electrode 206 by moving the moving stage 302in back-and-forth and right-and-left directions. Subsequently, thefollowing will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the moving stage 302 is moved upward. Thus, thecapillary electrode 207 penetrates the hole 5033 a of the septa 5033 ofthe buffer container 503 and is immersed in the buffer solution 5031.

A conventional autosampler will be described with reference to FIG. 4A.FIG. 4A illustrates a principal part of the autosampler in related art.The capillary electrode 207 penetrates the hole 5033 a of the septa 5033of the buffer container 503 and is immersed in the buffer solution 5031.In order to ensure a sealing property of the buffer container 503, thedifference between an inner diameter of the hole 5033 a of the septa5033 and an outer diameter of the capillary electrode 207 is slight.

For the purpose of achieving a separation performance of capillaryelectrophoresis, it is necessary to prevent gel separation media chargedin the capillaries from being dried. Therefore, it is necessary that thecapillary anode electrode is always in contact with the solution. Whenthe measurement is completed, the power supply of the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus is turned off. Even when the power supply isturned off, the capillary electrode 207 is immersed in the buffersolution 5031 to prevent gel separation media in the capillaries frombeing dried. That is, the capillary electrode 207 is left in contactwith the buffer solution 5031.

Vibrations from the outside are applied to the capillary electrophoresisapparatus in response to various causes or conditions. Examples of thecause include transport of the apparatus and earthquake occurrence.Vibrations occur when the measurement is performed on a ship or in acar. Vibrations from the outside may be applied when the power supply ofcapillary electrophoresis apparatus is turned on, however, they may beapplied when the power supply is turned off.

Here, when the power supply of the capillary electrophoresis apparatusis turned off, vibrations from the outside are applied to the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus. At this time, an electric power is notsupplied to the motor which drives the autosampler. Therefore, whenvibrations from the outside are given, the moving stage of theautosampler cannot be kept in a static state.

When the moving stage cannot be kept in the static state, the containerson the moving stage are moved. Thus, the capillary electrode interfereswith the penetration hole of the septa, which may cause the septa to bebroken. When the number of the capillary electrode is large (forexample, 48 or 96), vibrations from the outside can be distributedacross a plurality of the capillary electrodes. Thus, the load on onecapillary electrode is low. For that reason, the breakage of thecapillary electrode can be avoided. However, when the number of thecapillary electrodes is small, the load on one capillary electrode ishigh, which is more likely to cause the breakage.

In order to solve these problems, lead screw mechanisms such as slidingscrews and ball screws are conventionally used for a drive portion ofthe autosampler. Particularly, the friction of the screw surface and theload in a screw shaft direction are distributed by using a screw with asmall lead angle. Thus, the moving stage can be maintained in the staticstate.

Recently, there has been an increasing need for the reduction in sizeand weight of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus. Further, in orderto improve throughput, it is necessary to speed up transport. Accordingto the invention, belt drivings such as a toothed belt and a steel beltare used for the autosampler.

However, the belt drivings are easily affected by vibrations from theoutside. It is difficult to maintain the autosampler in the staticstate. According to the autosampler of the invention, there is provideda structure which can avoid the effect of vibrations from the outside.

An example of the autosampler according to the invention will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4B. In the autosampler of theembodiment, a fixation mechanism 400 which maintains the moving stage inthe static state even when vibrations from the outside are given isprovided. The fixation mechanism 400 has a convex portion 4302 providedon the moving stage 302 of the autosampler and a concave portion 4106provided on the oven 106. The moving stage 302 is fixed to the oven 106by engaging the convex portion 4302 with the concave portion 4106. Thatis, even if vibrations from the outside are applied when the powersupply is turned off, the moving stage 302 can be kept in the staticstate. The convex portion 4302 may comprise a pin. The concave portion4106 has a mechanism which houses and holds the pin. Incidentally, theconcave portion may be provided on the moving stage 302 of theautosampler and the convex portion may be provided on the oven 106.

The example of the autosampler according to the invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A shows a crosssection structure in which the oven and the autosampler according to theinvention are cut along a Y-Z plane. A sample plate assembly 501 and thebuffer container 503 are disposed on the moving stage 302.

The sample plate identification mechanism for detecting the type ofsample plate is provided in the autosampler. The sample plateidentification mechanism comprises the detection plate and the photointerrupter. In the conventional sample plate identification mechanism,a plurality of detection plates are provided on the bottom surface ofthe sample plate assembly 501 and a plurality of photo interrupters aredisposed on the upper surface of the moving stage 302. When the sampleplate assembly 501 is disposed on the moving stage 302, the photointerrupter is engaged with the detection plate.

The photo interrupter typically has a detection groove for receiving thedetection plate and a light-emitting portion and a light-receivingportion are provided on both sides of the detection groove. When thedetection plate is inserted between the light-emitting portion and thelight-receiving portion, the light from the light-emitting portion isshielded by the detection plate and the light is not received by thelight-receiving portion. When the detection plate is not insertedbetween the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, thelight from the light-emitting portion is received by the light-receivingportion. When one photo interrupter is used, there are light shieldingand transmitting conditions as for the photo interrupter. That is, twokinds of sample plates; one on which the detection plate is provided andthe other on which the detection plate is not provided can beidentified.

When three photo interrupters are used, there are light shielding andtransmitting conditions as for each of the photo interrupters.Therefore, seven types of sample plates can be identified (one type in astate that the photo interrupter is not provided on the moving stage).The type of identifiable sample plate can be increased by increasing thenumbers of the photo interrupters and the detection plates.

The photo interrupter is exposed on the moving stage 302 in theconventional sample plate identification mechanism. In the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus, the operator places containers containingliquids such as a buffer solution, cleaning liquid, and waste liquid onthe moving stage. For that reason, liquids may fall on the photointerrupter due to the operator's carelessness. As a result, the failureis caused by an electric short-circuit.

The cable for supplying an electric power and transmitting a signal isconnected with the photo interrupter. The cable moves together with themoving stage and bends whenever the moving stage moves. Thus, the cablemay be cut off.

Further, the moving stage is moved upward by the autosampler and thusthe container on the moving stage is made to be closer to the capillaryanode electrode. At this time, the capillary electrode comes close tothe photo interrupter on the moving stage. For that reason, failure ofthe photo interrupter may be caused by an electric discharge from thecapillary electrode at the time of electrophoresis.

The sample plate identification mechanism of the embodiment is formed soas to solve such problems. The sample plate identification mechanism ofthe embodiment has one or plurality of detection plates 5017 provided onthe side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 and one or pluralityof photo interrupters 311 provided on a fixed portion 310 of thecapillary electrophoresis apparatus.

In the sample plate identification mechanism of the embodiment, thephoto interrupter 311 is not provided on the moving stage 302. Thus,even when liquid falls on the moving stage 302, an electric failure isnot caused. Therefore, this is very useful for the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus in which the operator places containerscontaining liquids on the moving stage.

Further, the photo interrupter 311 is mounted on the fixed portion 310.Thus, even when the moving stage 302 moves, the cable connected to thephoto interrupter is not moved. Therefore, the cable is not cut off.According to the embodiment, the photo interrupter is disposed at theposition away from the capillary electrode. Thus, the failure of thephoto interrupter caused by the electric discharge from the capillaryelectrode can be avoided.

The method for using the sample plate identification mechanism of theembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5B. In order toidentify the type of sample plate, it is necessary to move the movingstage 302 until the sample plate assembly 501 comes closer to the photointerrupter 311. That is, the moving stage 302 is moved so that thedetection plate 5017 provided in the sample plate assembly 501 isengaged with the photo interrupter 311. The information obtained by thephoto interrupter 311 is stored into a memory element on a control boardof the apparatus or on the control computer of the apparatus.

According to the embodiment, it is not necessary to form the photointerrupter on the upper surface of the moving stage 302. Therefore, theupper surface of the moving stage 302 can be formed to have a flat onewithout holes. When liquid falls on the moving stage 302, it may besimply wiped off. A frame may be provided on the edge of the uppersurface of the moving stage 302. In this case, the liquid fallen on theupper surface of the moving stage is prevented from falling below themoving stage. Therefore, the moving stage which has high operationalreliability and is hygienic can be formed.

In the embodiment, the moving stage 302 is moved and the detection plate5017 of the sample plate assembly 501 is engaged with the photointerrupter 311. Therefore, the direction in which the detection plate5017 proceeds into the photo interrupter 311 is a horizontal direction.When the frame is formed on the edge of the upper surface of the movingstage 302, it is necessary to delete the frame at the portion where thedetection plate 5017 of the sample plate assembly 501 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sample plate assembly 501 of the embodiment hasa structure in which the septa 5013 is attached to the sample plate 5012containing the sample 5011, which is sandwiched between an adapter 5015and a clip 5014. In the sample plate assembly 501 of the embodiment, thedetection plate 5017 is provided on the side surface of the adapter5015.

An example of the method for identifying the type of sample plate willbe described with reference to FIG. 7. In the embodiment, recognition ofthe type of sample plate is not always performed. It is carried out whennecessary. For example, it is performed when the sample plate assemblyis disposed on the moving stage or when the sample plate assembly on themoving stage is replaced with another sample plate assembly. It ispreferable that the type of sample plate is automatically recognizedwhen the sample plate assembly is disposed on the moving stage or whenthe sample plate assembly on the moving stage is replaced.

The autosampler 300 of the embodiment is housed in a housing 315. A door316 is provided on the housing 315. The sample plate assemblies 501 and502 cannot be taken in and out without passing through the door 316.According to the embodiment, an opening-and-closing detection mechanism317 which detects opening and closing of the door 316 is provided. Theopening-and-closing detection mechanism 317 may be a limit switch or aphotosensor. The opening-and-closing detection mechanism 317 may detectwhen the door 316 is opened or when it is closed. Further, theopening-and-closing detection mechanism 317 may detect both when thedoor 316 is opened and when it is closed.

A detection signal from the opening-and-closing detection mechanism 317is transmitted to a control portion of the capillary electrophoresisapparatus and further transmitted to the autosampler 300. As a result,the moving stage 302 is moved. When the detection plate of the sampleplate assembly is engaged with the photo interrupter, the type of sampleplate is identified. According to the embodiment, the type of sampleplate is automatically recognized when the sample plate assembly isdisposed on the moving stage or when the sample plate assembly on themoving stage is replaced.

When the capillary electrophoresis apparatus is powered off, theopening-and-closing detection mechanism does not operate. Therefore, inthe case where the capillary electrophoresis apparatus is powered off,even when the door 316 is opened, and the sample plate assemblies 501and 502 are disposed on the moving stage 302 or the sample plateassemblies 501 and 502 on the moving stage 302 are replaced, the type ofsample plate is not recognized.

The embodiment has a structure in which an operation for identifying thetype of sample plate is performed when the power supply of the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus is turned on. Therefore, when the capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus is powered off, the sample plate assembly maybe disposed on the moving stage or the sample plate assembly on themoving stage may be replaced.

Although the case has been described in which the detection plate andthe photo interrupter are used as the sample plate identificationmechanism, the other structures can be used as the sample plateidentification mechanism. Here, an example using Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) technology will be described.

An RF tag (IC chip) which can transmit and receive radiofrequency wavesis provided on the side surface of the sample plate assembly 501. An RFreader writer (transmitting and receiving antenna) is provided in thefixed portion 310 of the capillary electrophoresis apparatus. In orderto identify the type of sample plate, the moving stage 302 is moveduntil the RF tag comes closer to the RF reader writer. In other words,the moving stage 302 is moved until the RF tag can be read by the RFreader writer. Incidentally, when the sizes of the RF tag and the RFreader writer are increased, the RF tag can be read by the RF readerwriter even if the RF tag is away from the RF reader writer. In thiscase, the type of sample plate on the moving stage can always be read.For that matter, the RF tag is mounted on any of the parts whichconstitute the sample plate assembly 501. The RF tag may be mounted onthe adapter 5015 and it may be mounted on the sample plate 5012. Asdescribed in JP-A-2003-344357, barcodes may be mounted on the partswhich constitute the sample plate assembly 501 and a bar code reader maybe mounted on the fixed portion 310.

When the capillary electrode is taken out from the container, the movingstage on which the container is placed is lowered. At this time, thesepta are lifted up by a frictional force between the capillaryelectrode and the hole of the septa of the container. As a result, thesepta are deformed or the sample plate assembly may be lifted togetherwith the septa.

The use of a stripper plate for pressing the septa on the container isdescribed in JP-A-2001-324474. The stripper plate prevents the septafrom being lifted and the capillary electrode can be detached from thesepta.

However, when the stripper plate is used, a space where the stripperplate is disposed is needed between the bottom of the capillaryelectrode and the septa. Thus, it is necessary to make the length of thecapillary electrode longer so as to provide a space required for thedisposition of the stripper plate. On the other hand, it is preferablethat the capillary electrode is short from the viewpoint of theseparation performance of electrophoresis. This is because the capillaryelectrode is disposed in the outside of the oven and thus it is easilyinfluenced by outside air temperatures. When the temperature of thecapillary electrode is changed due to outside air temperatures,variation in the separation performance is caused.

The mechanism in which the sample plate assembly is held by the gripperis disclosed in JP-A-2003-344357. The gripper holds the sample plateassembly directly, thereby allowing the sample plate assembly to beheld. However, an actuator which drives the gripper and a motor areneeded, the apparatus is complicated, and the number of parts isincreased. Further, when the moving stage moves, the gripper also movesthree-dimensionally. Therefore, a wiring of the actuator moves and thusthe risk of disconnection increases.

According to the invention, a mechanism which fixes the sample plateassembly to the moving stage of the autosampler is provided as describedhereinafter.

FIG. 8 illustrates a plane configuration of the sample plate assemblies501 and 502 disposed on the moving stage 302, the buffer container 503,the cleaning container 504, and the waste liquid container 505. Here, aposition of the fixation mechanism which fixes the sample plateassemblies 501 and 502 on the moving stage is considered. As shown inthe drawings, the first sample plate assembly 501 has four side surfaces501 a to 501 d and the second sample plate assembly 502 has four sidesurfaces 502 a to 502 d. The fixation mechanism is provided in each ofthe sample plate assemblies 501 and 502. The two sample plate assembliesare the same and one of the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502, thesample plate assembly 501, is considered. It is considered that any ofthe four side surfaces 501 a, 501 b, 501 c, and 501 d, the uppersurface, and the bottom is preferable to provide the fixation mechanismof the sample plate assembly 501. The sample plate identificationmechanism which identifies the type of sample plate is provided on theside surface 501 a of the sample plate assembly. In the above-describedexample, the sample plate identification mechanism is the detectionplate or the RF tag. Therefore, the fixation mechanism cannot beprovided on the side surface 501 a of the sample plate assembly. Theinside side surface 501 d of the sample plate assembly is close to thesecond sample plate assembly 502. Therefore, there is no enough space toprovide the fixation mechanism on the side surface 501 d of the sampleplate assembly. The side surface 501 c of the sample plate assembly isclose to the buffer container 503. There is no enough space to providethe fixation mechanism on the side surface 501 c of the sample plateassembly.

The upper surface of the sample plate assembly 501 is considered. Thecapillary electrode is disposed above the sample plate assembly 501.Therefore, when the fixation mechanism is provided on the upper surfaceof the sample plate assembly 501, the capillary electrode may interfereat the time of operating the fixation mechanism. For example, thefixation mechanism having a structure such as a lid is assumed as thefixation mechanism. When the lid is opened and closed, the lid maycollide with the capillary electrode. When the lid collides with thecapillary electrode, the lid or the capillary electrode is damaged. Onthe other hand, when the fixation mechanism is provided on the bottomsurface of the sample plate assembly 501, the operation is complicated.

In the embodiment, the fixation mechanism is provided on the outsideside surface 501 b of the first sample plate assembly 501. Similarly,the fixation mechanism is provided on the outside side surface 502 d ofthe second sample plate assembly 502. The position to provide thefixation mechanism is determined in the manner as described above. Inthe embodiment, the case where a pair of the sample plate assemblies 501and 502 are arranged and disposed on the moving stage has beenconsidered. The same holds for the case where a plurality of pairs ofthe sample plate assemblies are disposed. Subsequently, the structure ofthe fixation mechanism will be considered. The fixation mechanism hasthe following conditions:

-   -   (1) it is necessary to position the sample plate assembly on the        moving stage with a high degree of accuracy. Thus, a mechanism        which controls the movement of the sample plate assembly in the        back-and-forth direction (Y-axis direction) and the        right-and-left direction (X-axis direction) is needed; and    -   (2) it is necessary that a load in the back-and-forth direction        (Y-axis direction) and the right-and-left direction (X-axis        direction) is not applied to the sample plate assembly when the        sample plate assembly is attached to the moving stage and when        it is detached from the moving stage. According to the        invention, a belt driving which can speed up the transport is        employed as a drive mechanism of the autosampler. However, the        belt driving is easily influenced by loads and vibrations from        the outside. Particularly, when the power supply is turned off,        the moving stage is easily displaced by loads from the outside.        The belt driving can be employed by providing a structure in        which loads are not generated when the fixation mechanism is        operated.

The first example of the fixation mechanism of the sample plate assemblyprovided on the moving stage of the invention will be described withreference to FIG. 9A. FIG. 9A shows a cross section structure of themoving stage 302 and the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502 which aredisposed thereon.

According to the embodiment, movable hooks 401 are provided at both endsof the moving stage 302 and a fixed hook 3022 is provided in the centerof the moving stage 302. Further, convex portions 3021 for positioningare provided on the moving stage. On the other hand, a hole 5021 isprovided on the outside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501and a hole 5022 is provided on the inside side surface of the sampleplate assembly 501. Further, concave portions 5018 for positioning areprovided on the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501. Theposition of the convex portions 3021 for positioning and the concaveportions 5018 for positioning will be described with reference to FIG.12.

Incidentally, the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502 may have the samestructure as the sample plate assembly described with reference to FIG.6. In this case, the holes 5021 and 5022 of the side surface of thesample plate assembly 501 are provided on the side surface of theadapter 5015. The concave portions 5018 for positioning of the bottomsurface of the sample plate assembly 501 are provided on the bottomsurface of the adapter 5015.

The movable hooks 401 provided at both ends of the moving stage 302 havethe same structure. Here, the movable hook 401 on the left side of themoving stage 302 will be described. The movable hook 401 is disposed onthe outside of the sample plate assembly 501 and has a lever portion 402and a claw 403 which is inwardly extended. The claw 403 is formed so asto be engaged with the hole 5021 of the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501. The fixed hook 3022 has a claw which isoutwardly extended to both sides. The claw of the fixed hook 3022 isformed so as to be engaged with the hole 5022 of the inside side surfaceof the sample plate assembly 501. Further, the convex portions 3021 onthe moving stage 302 are formed so as to be engaged with the concaveportions 5018 of the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501.Thus, the sample plate assembly 501 can be accurately positioned on apredetermined position on the moving stage 302 by engaging the convexportions 3021 on the moving stage 302 with the concave portions 5018 ofthe bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501.

The movable hook 401 is rotatable about a shaft 404. The shaft 404 isdisposed along the Y-axis direction (perpendicular to the plane ofpaper). Therefore, the movable hook 401 rotates along a vertical plane.A torsion spring 405 is wound around the shaft 404. One end of thetorsion spring 405 is mounted on the movable hook 401 and the other endis mounted on the bottom surface of the moving stage 302. The torsionspring 405 exerts a force in a closed direction on the movable hook 401.

A method for fixing the sample plate assembly of the embodiment on themoving stage will be described with reference to FIGS. 9B to 9F. Asshown in FIG. 9B, first, the sample plate assembly 501 is disposed abovethe moving stage 302, being inclined so that the outer edge is elevatedand the inner edge is lowered in position. As shown in FIG. 9C, the hole5022 of the inside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 isengaged with the claw of the fixed hook 3022.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the movable hook 401 (in FIG. 9D) is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction by resisting a biasing force of the torsionspring 405. As shown in FIG. 9E, the outer edge of the sample plateassembly is pushed downwardly and the concave portions 5018 of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 are engaged with theconvex portions 3021 on the moving stage 302. Thus, the hole 5022 of theinside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 is engaged with theclaw of the fixed hook 3022 and the concave portions 5018 of the bottomsurface of the sample plate assembly 501 are engaged with the convexportions 3021 on the moving stage 302. Finally, the sample plateassembly 501 in a horizontal state is disposed on the moving stage 302as shown in FIG. 9F. The movable hook 401 is rotated in the clockwisedirection along a vertical plane (in FIG. 9F) by using the biasing forceof the torsion spring 405. As a result, the claw 403 of the movable hook401 is engaged with the hole 5021 of the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501.

A method for detaching the sample plate assembly of the embodiment fromthe moving stage will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D.FIG. 10A is the same as FIG. 9A. The sample plate assembly 501 ismounted on the moving stage 302 and fixed by the fixing apparatus. Asshown in FIG. 10B, the movable hook 401 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction along a vertical plane by resisting thebiasing force of the torsion spring 405. As a result, the claw 403 ofthe movable hook 401 is detached from the hole 5021 of the outside sidesurface of the sample plate assembly 501. As shown in FIG. 10C, thesample plate assembly 501 is inclined by lifting the outer edge of thesample plate assembly 501. As a result, the concave portions 5018 of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 are detached from theconvex portions 3021 on the moving stage 302. At this time, the hole5022 of the inside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 isengaged with the fixed hook 3022. Finally, the sample plate assembly 501is lifted overall as shown in FIG. 10D. As a result, the hole 5022 ofthe inside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 is detachedfrom the claw of the fixed hook 3022.

A direction for lifting the sample plate assembly 501 of FIG. 10C is anopposite direction to the direction for rotating the movable hook 401 ofFIG. 10B. Therefore, the operation of FIG. 10B is performed by one handand the operation of FIG. 10C is performed by the other hand. Finally,the operation for lifting the sample plate assembly 501 may be carriedout by both hands.

In the fixing apparatus of the embodiment, when the sample plateassembly 501 is mounted on the moving stage 302 and removed therefrom, aload in the up-and-down direction is applied to the moving stage 302,however, a load in back-and-forth and right-and-left directions is notapplied thereto. Therefore, in the embodiment, the belt driving whichcan speed up the transport is employed as the drive mechanism of theautosampler.

A structure of the upper surface of the moving stage 302 of theembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIG.11A shows an upper surface structure of the moving stage 302 accordingto the invention. FIG. 11B shows a cross section structure of the movingstage 302. Dashed-two dotted lines of FIG. 11A indicate positions of thesample plate assemblies 501 and 502. As shown in the drawings, theconvex portions 3021 are provided on the upper surface of the movingstage 302. The convex portions 3021 are close to the side surfaces 501 aand 501 c as well as the side surfaces 502 a and 502 c of the sampleplate assemblies 501 and 502 and disposed inside from the side surfaces501 a and 501 c as well as the side surfaces 502 a and 502 c. Themovable hook 401 and the fixed hook 3022 are disposed nearly in thecenter in a longitudinal direction of the sample plate assembly. Inother words, the movable hooks 401 are disposed nearly in the center ina longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) along the outside sidesurfaces 501 b and 502 d of the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502. Thefixed hook 3022 is disposed nearly in the center in a longitudinaldirection (Y-axis direction) along the inside side surfaces 501 d and502 b of the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502. The claw of themovable hook 401 has a predetermined size. Similarly, the claw of thefixed hook 3022 has a predetermined size.

An example of the sample plate assembly of the embodiment will beillustrated with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12E. FIG. 12A shows a bottomsurface structure of the sample plate assembly of the embodiment. FIG.12B shows a side surface structure of the sample plate assembly of theembodiment. FIG. 12C shows an upper surface structure of the sampleplate assembly of the embodiment. FIG. 12D shows a cross sectionstructure in which the sample plate assembly of FIG. 12C is cut along aline A-A. FIG. 12E shows a cross section structure in which the sampleplate assembly of FIG. 12C is cut along a line B-B.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12E, concave portions 5018A and 5018B areprovided on the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 of theembodiment. The concave portion 5018A is close to the side surface 501 aand disposed inside from the side surface 501 a. The concave portion5018B is close to the side surface 501 c and disposed inside from theside surface 501 c. The concave portions 5018A and 5018B are disposed atthe positions corresponding to the convex portions 3021 of the uppersurface of the moving stage shown in FIG. 11A. The concave portion 5018Aprovided close to the side surface 501 a has an elongate hole while theconcave portion 5018B provided close to the side surface 501 c has around hole.

As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12D, the holes 5021 and 5022 are provided onthe side surface of the sample plate assembly of the embodiment. Theholes 5021 and 5022 are disposed nearly in the center in a longitudinaldirection of the sample plate assembly 501. The holes 5021 and 5022 aredisposed at the positions corresponding to the movable hook 401 and thefixed hook 3022 of the upper surface of the moving stage as shown inFIG. 11A. The holes have a predetermined size capable of receiving theclaw of the movable hook 401 and the claw of the fixed hook 3022.

The second example of the fixation mechanism of the sample plateassembly provided on the moving stage of the invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B. According to the embodiment,movable hooks 411 are provided at both ends of the moving stage 302. Themovable hooks 411 are disposed corresponding to the positions of theoutside side surfaces 501 b and 502 d of the sample plate assemblies 501and 502. The fixed hook 3022 is provided in the center of the movingstage 302. Further, convex portions 3021 for positioning are provided onthe moving stage. On the other hand, the hole 5021 is provided on theoutside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501 and the hole 5022is provided on the inside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501.Further, the concave portions 5018 for positioning are provided on thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501. The position of theconvex portions 3021 for positioning and the concave portions 5018 forpositioning have been described with reference to FIG. 12.

Incidentally, the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502 may have the samestructure as the sample plate assembly described with reference to FIG.6. In this case, the holes 5021 and 5022 of the side surface of thesample plate assembly 501 are provided on the outside side surface ofthe adapter 5015. The concave portions 5018 for positioning of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 are provided on thebottom surface of the adapter 5015.

The movable hooks 411 provided at both ends of the moving stage 302 havethe same structure. Here, the movable hook 411 on the left side of themoving stage 302 will be described. The movable hook 411 is disposed onthe outside of the sample plate assembly 501 and has a lever portion 412and a claw 413 which is inwardly extended. The claw 413 is formed so asto be engaged with the hole 5021 of the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501. The fixed hook 3022 has a claw which isoutwardly extended to both sides. The claw of the fixed hook 3022 isformed so as to be engaged with the hole 5022 of the inside side surfaceof the sample plate assembly 501. Further, the convex portions 3021 onthe moving stage 302 are formed so as to be engaged with the concaveportions 5018 of the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501.Thus, the sample plate assembly 501 can be accurately positioned on apredetermined position on the moving stage 302 by engaging the convexportions 3021 on the moving stage 302 with the concave portions 5018 ofthe bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501.

The movable hook 411 is rotatable about the shaft 414. The shaft 414 isdisposed along the Z-axis direction (thickness direction of the sampleplate assembly 501). Therefore, the movable hook 411 rotates along ahorizontal plane. The torsion spring 415 is wound around the shaft 414.One end of the torsion spring 415 is mounted on the movable hook 411 andthe other end is mounted on the bottom surface of the moving stage 302.The torsion spring 415 exerts the force in the closed direction, on themovable hook 411.

An operation of the fixing apparatus of the embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 13C and 13D. When the sample plate assembly ismounted or removed, the lever portion 412 of the movable hook 411 isrotated in the clockwise direction along a horizontal plane (in FIG.13C) by resisting the biasing force of the torsion spring 415. As aresult, the claw 413 of the movable hook 411 is detached from the hole5021 provided on the outside side surface of the sample plate assembly501. FIGS. 13C and 13D show a state in which the claw 413 of the movablehook 411 is thus detached from the hole 5021 of the outside side surfaceof the sample plate assembly 501. When the sample plate assembly 501 isfixed by the fixing apparatus, the movable hook 411 is made to rotate inthe counterclockwise direction along a horizontal plane (in FIG. 13C) byusing the biasing force of the torsion spring 415. As a result, the claw413 of the movable hook 411 is engaged with the hole 5021 of the outsideside surface of the sample plate assembly 501. According to theembodiment, the size of the hole 5021 provided on the outside sidesurface of the sample plate assembly 501 is larger than the size of theclaw 413 of the movable hook 411. Thus, even if the claw 413 of themovable hook 411 draws an arc around the shaft 414, the claw of themovable hook 411 does not collide with the hole 5021 of the outside sidesurface of the sample plate assembly 501.

In the embodiment, the operation of rotating the movable hook isperformed along a horizontal plane and the operation of removing thesample plate assembly is performed along the vertical plane. That is,both operating directions are perpendicular to each other. For thatreason, the operation of rotating the movable hook and the operation ofremoving the sample plate assembly can be simultaneously performed withone hand, which is thus excellently convenient.

The third example of the fixation mechanism of the sample plate assemblyprovided on the moving stage of the invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 14A and 14B.

According to the embodiment, movable hooks 421 are provided at both endsof the moving stage 302 and the fixed hook 3022 is provided in thecenter of the moving stage 302. Further, the convex portions 3021 forpositioning are provided on the moving stage. On the other hand, thehole 5021 is provided on the outside side surface of the sample plateassembly 501 and the hole 5022 is provided on the inside side surface ofthe sample plate assembly 501. Further, the concave portions 5018 forpositioning are provided on the bottom surface of the sample plateassembly 501. The positions of the convex portions 3021 for positioningand the concave portions 5018 for positioning have been described withreference to FIG. 12.

Incidentally, the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502 may have the samestructure as the sample plate assembly described with reference to FIG.6. In this case, the holes 5021 and 5022 of the side surface of thesample plate assembly 501 are provided on the outside side surface ofthe adapter 5015. The concave portions 5018 for positioning of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 are provided on thebottom surface of the adapter 5015.

The movable hooks 421 provided at both ends of the moving stage 302 havethe same structure. Here, the movable hook 421 on the left side of themoving stage 302 will be described. The movable hook 421 is disposed onthe outside of the sample plate assembly 501 and has a lever portion 422which is outwardly extended and a claw 423 which is outwardly extended.The claw 423 is formed so as to be engaged with the hole 5021 of theoutside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501. The fixed hook3022 has a claw which is outwardly extended to both sides. The claw ofthe fixed hook 3022 is formed so as to be engaged with the hole 5022 ofthe inside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501. Further, theconvex portions 3021 on the moving stage 302 are formed so as to beengaged with the concave portions 5018 of the bottom surface of thesample plate assembly 501. Thus, the sample plate assembly 501 can beaccurately positioned on a predetermined position on the moving stage302 by engaging the convex portions 3021 on the moving stage 302 withthe concave portions 5018 of the bottom surface of the sample plateassembly 501.

The movable hook 421 is rotatable about a shaft 424. The shaft 424 isdisposed along the Y-axis direction (perpendicular to the plane ofpaper). Therefore, the hook 421 rotates along a vertical plane. Atorsion spring 425 is wound around the shaft 424. One end of the torsionspring 425 is mounted on the movable hook 421 and the other end ismounted on the bottom surface of the moving stage 302. The torsionspring 425 exerts a force in a closed direction, on the movable hook421.

The operation of the fixing apparatus of the embodiment will bedescribed. When the sample plate assembly is removed, the movable hook421 is rotated in the clockwise direction along a horizontal plane (inFIG. 14A) by resisting the biasing force of the torsion spring 425. As aresult, the claw of the movable hook 421 is detached from the hole 5021of the outside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501.

FIG. 14B shows a state in which the claw 423 of the movable hook 421 isthus detached from the hole 5021 of the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501. Then, the sample plate assembly 501 isinclined by lifting the outer edge of the sample plate assembly 501. Asa result, the concave portions 5018 of the bottom surface of the sampleplate assembly 501 are detached from the convex portions 3021 on themoving stage. Finally, the sample plate assembly 501 is lifted overall.As a result, the hole 5022 of the inside side surface of the sampleplate assembly 501 is detached from the claw of the fixed hook 3022.When the sample plate assembly is mounted, a reverse operation may beperformed.

In the embodiment, the operation of rotating the movable hook isperformed along a vertical plane and the operation of removing thesample plate assembly is performed along the vertical plane. That is,both operating directions are the same. For that reason, the operationof rotating the movable hook and the operation of removing the sampleplate assembly can be simultaneously performed with one hand, which isthus excellently convenient.

The fourth example of the fixation mechanism of the sample plateassembly provided on the moving stage of the invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C.

According to the embodiment, movable hooks 431 are provided at both endsof the moving stage 302. The movable hooks 431 are disposedcorresponding to the positions of the outside side surfaces 501 b and502 d of the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502. The movable hooks 431may be provided close to one of the side surfaces 501 a of the sampleplate assembly 501.

The fixed hooks 3022, 3023, and 3024 are arranged and provided in thecenter of the moving stage 302. The fixed hook 3022 is disposed at theposition corresponding to the inside side surfaces 501 d and 502 b ofthe sample plate assemblies 501 and 502. Fixed hooks 3023 and 3024 aredisposed at the position corresponding to the outside side surfaces 501b and 502 d of the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502.

The hole 5021 is provided on the outside side surface of the sampleplate assembly 501 and the hole 5022 is provided on the inside sidesurface of the sample plate assembly 501. The fixed hook 3023 is engagedwith the hole 5021 of the outside side surface of the sample plateassembly 501. The fixed hook 3022 is engaged with the hole 5022 of theinside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501. The same holds forthe second sample plate assembly 502.

Further, the convex portions 3021A and 3021B for positioning areprovided on the moving stage. The convex portions 3021A and 3021B forpositioning are disposed inside the inside side surfaces 501 a and 501 cof the first sample plate assembly 501. On the other hand, concaveportions 5018A and 5018B for positioning are provided on the bottomsurface of the first sample plate assembly 501.

The convex portions 3021A and 3021B for positioning on the moving stageare engaged with the concave portions 5018A and 5018B for positioning onthe bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501, respectively. Thesame holds both for the concave portions provided on the bottom surfaceof the second sample plate assembly 502 and for the convex portions forpositioning provided on the moving stage which correspond to the concaveportions.

In passing, the sample plate assemblies 501 and 502 may have the samestructure as the sample plate assembly described with reference to FIG.6. In this case, the holes 5021 and 5022 of the side surface of thesample plate assembly 501 are provided on the outside side surface ofthe adapter 5015. The concave portions 5018A and 5018B for positioningof the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 is provided onthe bottom surface of the adapter 5015. The same holds for the holes ofthe side surface of the sample plate assembly 502 and for the concaveportions for positioning on the bottom surface.

The movable hooks 431 provided at both ends of the moving stage 302 havethe same structure. Here, the movable hook 431 on the left side of themoving stage 302 will be described. The movable hook 431 is disposed onthe outside of the sample plate assembly 501 and has a lever portion 432and a pressing portion 433 which is inwardly extended. The pressingportion 433 is formed so as to press the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501.

The movable hook 431 is rotatable about a shaft 434. The shaft 434 isdisposed along the Z-axis direction (thickness direction of the sampleplate assembly 501). Therefore, the movable hook 431 rotates along thehorizontal plane. A torsion spring 435 is wound around the shaft 434.One end of the torsion spring 435 is mounted on the movable hook 431 andthe other end is mounted on the bottom surface of the moving stage 302.The torsion spring 425 exerts a force which makes a movable lever rotatein the counterclockwise direction along a horizontal plane (in FIG.15A), on the movable lever.

Hereinafter, the first sample plate assembly 501 of the two sample plateassemblies 501 and 502 will described.

In the embodiment, the size of the hole 5021 of the outside side surfaceof the sample plate assembly 501 included in the first sample plateassembly 501 is sufficiently larger than the size of the claw of thefixed hook 3023. The size of the hole 5022 of the inside side surface ofthe sample plate assembly 501 is sufficiently larger than the size ofthe claw of the fixed hook 3022 in the center.

The size of the inner diameter of the concave portions 5018A and 5018Bof the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 is larger thanthe outer diameter of the convex portions 3021A and 3021B on the movingstage. A gap between the first concave portion 5018A (concave portion onthe upper side in FIG. 15A) of the bottom surface of the sample plateassembly 501 and the first convex portion 3021A on the moving stage islarger than a gap between the second concave portion 5018B (concaveportion on the lower side in FIG. 15A) and the second convex portion3021B on the moving stage. The first concave portion 5018A may have anelongate hole in an elliptic shape. The cross section of the firstconvex portion 3021A on the moving stage may have an elliptic shape.

In the embodiment, there is a gap between an engaging portion formed onthe moving stage and an engaging portion formed in the sample plateassembly 501. Thus, the sample plate assembly 501 is slightly movable onthe moving stage 302. As for the gap between the engaging portion formedon the moving stage and the engaging portion formed in the sample plateassembly 501, the smallest gap is a gap between the second concaveportion 5018B of the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 andthe second convex portion 3021B on the moving stage. Therefore, thesample plate assembly 501 on the moving stage 302 is rotatable aroundthe second convex portion 3021B provided on the moving stage 302 at aslight rotation angle.

As shown in the drawings, the pressing portion 433 of the movable hook431 presses the outside side surface of the sample plate assembly 501.Therefore, the sample plate assembly receives a pressure in the X-axisdirection from the movable hook 431. Thus, the sample plate assembly onthe moving stage rotates until the inside surface of the first concaveportion 5018A of the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501abuts on the first convex portion 3021A on the moving stage.

Even if the pressing force from the movable hook 431 is applied to thesample plate assembly, it is held in the condition when it cannot moveany further.

An operation of the fixing apparatus of the embodiment will bedescribed. When the sample plate assembly is removed, the lever portion432 of the movable hook 431 is made to rotate in the clockwise directionalong a horizontal plane (in FIG. 15A) by resisting the biasing force ofthe torsion spring 435. As a result, the pressing portion 433 of themovable hook 431 is separated from the outside side surface of thesample plate assembly 501.

FIG. 15B shows a state in which the pressing portion 433 of the movablehook 431 is thus separated from the outside side surface of the sampleplate assembly 501. Then, the sample plate assembly is disposed on themoving stage and made to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (inFIG. 15B). The sample plate assembly is made to rotate on the movingstage until the inside surface of the first concave portion 5018A of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 abuts on the firstconvex portion 3021B on the moving stage. As a result, the claw of theoutside fixed hook 3023 is detached from the hole 5021 of the outsideside surface of the sample plate assembly. Further the claw of theinside fixed hook 3022 is detached from the hole 5022 of the inside sidesurface of the sample plate assembly. Finally, the sample plate assembly501 is lifted overall. As a result, the concave portions 5018A and 5018Bfor positioning of the bottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501are detached from the convex portions 3021A and 3021B for positioning onthe stage, respectively. When the sample plate assembly is mounted, thereverse operation may be performed.

In the embodiment, the sample plate assembly 501 can be accuratelypositioned on a predetermined position on the moving stage by engagingthe convex portion on the moving stage with the concave portion of thebottom surface of the sample plate assembly 501 and pressing the sampleplate assembly 501 by the movable hook 431.

In the embodiment, the two sample plate assemblies can be mounted andremoved only by rotating the sample plate assembly along a horizontalplane. Further, the mounting operation and the removing operation arethe same except that the two sample plate assemblies have oppositerotational directions in operation. Therefore, the two sample plateassemblies can be mounted and removed with one hand.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments. It will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of theinvention can be made within the scope of the claims.

1. A capillary electrophoresis apparatus comprising: a capillary inwhich a capillary head is provided at one end and a capillary anodeelectrode is formed at the other end; and an autosampler having a movingstage which transports one or a plurality of containers including samplecontainers to the capillary anode electrode; wherein the moving stagehas a fixing apparatus for fixing at least a pair of sample containerswhich are arranged and disposed on the moving stage, the fixingapparatus has first and second movable hooks as well as first, second,and third fixed hooks which are arranged in a row, the movable hookshave projected portions rotatable around a shaft, the first fixed hookhas a projected portion which is projected on an inside, the secondfixed hook has first and second projected portions which are projectedon both sides, the third fixed hook has a projected portion which isprojected on an inside, when a first sample container having holes onside surfaces of both sides is disposed between the first fixed hook andthe second fixed hook and a second sample container having holes on sidesurfaces of both sides is disposed between the second fixed hook and thethird fixed hook, wherein, the capillary electrophoresis apparatus isconfigured in such a manner that when the hole of the outside sidesurface of the first sample container is engaged with the projectedportion of the first fixed hook, the hole of the inside side surface ofthe first sample container is engaged with the first projected portionof the second fixed hook, the hole of the inside side surface of thesecond sample container is engaged with the second projected portion ofthe second fixed hook, the hole of the outside side surface of thesecond sample container is engaged with the projected portion of thethird fixed hook, the projected portion of the first movable hook ispressed against the outside side surface of the first sample container,and the projected portion of the second movable hook is pressed againstthe outside side surface of the second sample container wherein twoconcave portions are provided on each of the bottom surfaces of thefirst and second sample containers, convex portions corresponding to theconcave portions are provided on the moving stage, when the first samplecontainer is disposed to the first fixed hook and the second fixed hookand the second sample container is disposed to the second fixed hook andthe third fixed hook, the corresponding convex portions on the movingstage are engaged with the two concave portions on each of bottomsurfaces of the first and second sample containers, a gap between thefirst concave portion on the bottom surface of each of the first and thesecond sample containers and the first convex portion on the movingstage is larger than a gap between the second concave portion on thebottom surface of each of the first and the second sample containers andthe second convex portion on the moving stage and, wherein when theprojected portion of the first and second movable hooks are not pressedagainst the outside surfaces of the first and second sample containers,the first and second sample containers on the moving stage are pivotablearound the second convex portions respectively on the moving stage whichare engaged with their respective second concave portions on the bottomsurfaces of the first and second sample containers, and the first andsecond sample containers are fixed on the moving stage by pressing theprojected portions of the first and second movable hooks against theirrespective outside side surfaces of the first and second samplecontainers.
 2. The capillary electrophoresis apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the shaft is disposed in the vertical direction and themovable hook is rotatable along the horizontal plane.
 3. The capillaryelectrophoresis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a spring whichgenerates the torque allowing the movable hook to rotate around theshaft is provided, and by the torque, the movable hook is pressed in thedirection where the projected portion of the movable hook is engagedwith the hole of the outside side surface of the sample containers.